When you’re an eight-year-old who’s been fighting cancer for two years, what’s the big deal about swimming with sharks? So, earlier this week, Anne Genho and her family flew to Hawaii to do just that, compliments of Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. But before she left, Anne was given a proper sendoff by third-grade teachers and classmates at Rappahannock County Elementary School with a party highlighted by grass skirts and lei relay races, hula hoop challenges and fish bingo.
Diagnosed with T-cell acute leukemia in June 2021, Anne is doing remarkably well, according to her mom, Lynnie. Anne still receives chemotherapy intravenously once a month and orally every day, with a more intensive dose every Monday. She also regularly takes preventative medicine to address her immunocompromised state, and also a heavy dose of steroids every month. But she’s back playing soccer, and exploring the outside world.
“Anne’s always been kind of a nature girl,” said Lynnie. “She’s very much into the muddy, messy thing.”
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Lynnie Genho, Anne’s mom, shares an informative handout from the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation with Christopher Creel and other 3rd grade students.
Which explains, at least in part, the wish to swim with sharks. Lynnie thinks her daughter’s interest was sparked by a book titled “Shark Lady” that her dad, John, read to her. It’s about shark researcher Eugenie Clark. Anne – and anyone else in the Genho family who’s up for it – will be lowered in a cage to get a close-up view of the circling predators.
“Anne has loved sharks for a long time,” said Lynnie. “She’s super excited.”
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